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Friday, May 31, 2013

Chantecaille is introducing a new Lip Screen Tint SPF 15 ($36) with its summer collection. These beautiful sheer lip colors offer a hint of shine and whisper of polished color, combined with a serious SPF lip treatment. When I was in the store swatching, I believed the shades above were the new shades. They were in the right display slots. I was only partially correct. I'm sorry. The only one that appears to have been correct was Sardinia.

The high-performing and extremely comfortable formula contains an ultra-healing botanical blend of rose and honey. Packaged in a chic shiny silver tube, it's the perfect accessory for your summer look.

There are three glistening shades inspired by the islands of the Mediterranean Sea.

Ibiza - muted pink

Sardinia - bright and extremely wearable "coral"

Neutral - apparently a clear SPF

I took swatch photos of the three on the display outside Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie. My photos were taken in full mid-day sunshine. Sardinia is shown at the top of my arm and at left in the display photo above. The existing Mai - not a new shade, but like Ibiza, I'm told - is in the middle in both photos. Neutral, shown at right above, may or may not be at bottom on my arm. The tester actually says only SPF 15.

After looking at the testers, I was sure that my favorite would be the pink - the one it turns out I haven't seen. Imagine my surprise when I nearly drooled over Sardinia. While it could be called coral, it has enough rose in it to look fabulous paired with my cool-toned skin. I feared that you wouldn't be able to see Neutral is expected to be clear.

I love the way Sardinia looks and feels. They are perfect for a casual summer. I've got Sardinia on my list for Camp Gorgeous, but I fear it won't arrive in time. I just learned that Sardinia is shipping to the stores today, and Ibiza will ship Monday.

If you'd like some help with the Camp Gorgeous event, give Jeannine Barnes at Neiman Marcus a call at
(202) 966-9700, extension 2289. The Chantecaille Web site doesn't
show all the new summer colors. If you want one of the limited numbers Jeannine will receive, call her tomorrow. Don't wait!

Update: Chantecaille just posted on Facebook a 10% discount on its site for purchases between now and June 3. Use code SMR10 at checkout.

Update #2: This feature was modified after I learned that only one of the colors in the display unit was "right color." I am sorry. After swatching at two stores, I wasn't expecting that.

Update #3: This is the Chantecaille GWP for Camp Gorgeous. I promise, no more updates.

My body is angry with me. After getting help pulling ivy off my house and clearing some invasive plants from my garden, I had a pile of yard waste in my driveway that was roughly three feet high and 10 feet long. I had to move it from my driveway about a block up the the county's collection point. Each day this week, I dragged, hauled, and carried until my back and knee cried uncle. My neighbors helped finish the task yesterday. This morning, the county took it all away, making me extremely happy I will never see it again.

Now, as I "prepare" to go over to Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie to see what Michael Reinhardt at Le Métier de Beauté and Jeannine Barnes at Chantecaille have in store for Camp Gorgeous, I'm wondering if I need a walker.

The onset of extremely hot weather has me thinking about sunscreen this week. There have been many posts in the blogosphere - most spurred by press attention or e-mails from vendors - during the last week, one reason I didn't write yet another feature on sunscreen. What you need to remember is that it must be applied frequently, an SPF over 50 is basically a waste of your money, you must wear a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects from UVA and UVB rays, and the experts frown on spray sunscreens. I actually like sprays for touch-ups. Most spray users don't apply them evenly, so they aren't as effective as they should be. Spray with abandon!

By now, you have probably seen the Cosmetic Executive Women's Beauty Insider's Choice Awards for 2013, but just in case you haven't, here's the list.

A few of these awards surprised me. Several left me amazed. The selection of Elilzabeth Arden's Prevage sunscreen may lead me to try.

Did you do any Memorial Day beauty shopping? I did, with restraint. Jouer's sale was impossible to ignore.

It's time for the Friday Forum. I love this part of our week. What
new products did you discover this week? Did you find any
deals you couldn't resist? Are you using a fabulous
product and want to sing its praises? Did you find a
beauty product disappointing? Do you have a question others
might be able to answer? Want to talk about skin care?
What's new in your life? Just use the comments. Don't be
shy. Just make sure to ask any question you might have over
the weekend. By early the next week, most (not all)
readers will have moved on.

Don't forget this week's giveaway contest for Aquallilies for Tarte Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder. The deadline for entries is tomorrow, Saturday, June 1, at midnight. Good luck!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Captivating the feel of long summer nights, lust, and love (woah!), Le Métier de Beauté is introducing a new Kaleidoscope Eye Kit ($95), exclusively for Bergdorf Goodman: Summer Night's Dream. "The smoldering eye is a source of ceaseless fascination all over the world, but this exclusive is just for Manhattan!” said Mikey Castillo, Director of Makeup for Le Métier de Beauté.

The alluring kit mixes four inviting hues from opaque and subdued to Cimmerian and sheen. Layered together, the eyes are left lush and dreamy. “As a wardrobe for the eyes, the look is eternally classic, whether worn smoky for night, or simply muted for day.”

The shades, from top to bottom, are these beauties.

Midsummer - silk ivory with opaque pink finish

Fairyland - chrome metal and silver flecked

Athenians - red-bronzed copper

Love-in-Idleness - dark, stormy blue

The top two shades have me revved already. I can't wait to try all four!

Summer Night's Eye will be available only at Bergdorf Goodman in June 2013. To reserve yours, call (212) 872-8612. Quantities will be limited, so if you want one of the new Kaleidoscopes, make sure to call soon.

Chantecaille had a stealth introduction of new eye shadow shades three or four weeks ago. I saw no announcements and no press. I did see a few new shades on the Chantecaille display this week - along with the two existing Cheek Crèmes. The two we expect for summer will arrive mid-summer, I have learned.

I'm still sorting out what's new and what's not. I have verified that there are new eye shadows, including Flax Shine Eye Shade ($25), which I purchased. It is shown in the center of the top row in the photo above and in my photo below. From speaking with Chantecaille representatives, I've learned that the summer colors are arriving sporadically. Some have been delivered to the stores; some are still on the way.

On the left above, the summer display shows two existing Cheek Cremes The four eye shadows, in clockwise order, are Flax, Almond, Azurine, and Marigold. I'd like to have all four. There are about eight new eye shadow shades, including Iron Ore, Olivia, Driftwood, Carnelia, and Emerald, the last a re-promoted shade.

Flax is my kind of eye shadow. The Shine Eye Shades are a supremely light-textured shadow with a wonderful pearlescent glow. New technology allows for the incorporation of a high density of tiny particles of real pearl into the color pigments, creating a crease-proof consistency.

Worn on its own, it washes the skin with a film of liquid shine. Shine Eye Shade also mixes easily with matte shadows for a more muted effect. As we expect of Chantecaille, Shine Eye Shades are cruelty-free and do not contain animal or mineral derivatives.

I took swatch photos of Flax, a beautiful antique, gilded bronze. I swatched heavily with a sponte-tipped applicator and took my photos in full, mid-morning sunshine.

I think Flax is drop-dead gorgeous. It adds a burnished bronze to the lids, with a perfect subtle gleam to make your eyes the center of attention.

This is the same swatch in my two photos, even though the lower photo makes the color look lighter. It's all about the angle of the sunshine when I take the photos.

I can see Flax as a beautiful counterpoint to any of the new shades on the display. I'm going back over to Neiman Marcus to add to my collection.

You noticed, I'm sure, that Flax was sold as a refill. This seems to be the way of the world these days, selling individual eye shadows without a compact. You can create your own customized compact by purchasing an eight-pan refillable palette for $52, a three-pan palette for $42, or use your favorite shadow in a single compact for an additional $11. The separation of the color from the compact makes these Chantecaille eye shadows much more expensive. What used to cost $28 for color and compact now costs $36 for both. I fear that may put off some shoppers - fear because I love Chantecaille. I won't purchase the compacts. I will use the refills, just as I do with Clé de Peau Beauté and Rouge Bunny Rouge. I can stack them, and the shadows actually take up less space in my bathroom when housed in their plastic "envelopes."

If you'd like some help, give Jeannine Barnes at Neiman Marcus a call at (202) 966-9700, extension 2289. Even the Chantecaille Web site doesn't show all the new summer colors, although Flax is there and for sale. I'll have more to come here on Chantecaille's Summer 2013 Collection.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

A friend took me to lunch at the mall, so I had the perfect opportunity to swatch Chantecaille's new 24 Hour Waterproof Eye Liners ($26). They are nice! The colors are pretty, and once they are applied, they are indestructible. Really, I tried. I rubbed, washed, and otherwise abused my test lines, and they stayed put.

The 24 Hour Waterproof Eye Liners (I so want to punctuate "24 Hour") are extremely long-lasting and easy to
apply. The creamy texture glides across the lash line effortlessly, with
no tugging.
I was very pleased with how creamy they are. The eye-enhancing pigments can create a subtle natural eye or
complement a sultry smoky eye with lasting definition.The Chantecaille rep was wearing Ebony, and her liner looked fabulous.

This liner comes in three shades: Oolong, a burnished bronze (and my favorite); Orchid, an exotic purple; and Ebony, a dramatic black. I swatched them on my arm in that order, top to bottom. I swatched lightly, drawing a single line once, with no touch-up. I got a little messy with the black one - my fail, not the liner's. My photos were taken in full, mid-afternoon sun.

Oolong, the shimmering bronze at the top of my arm went on my must-have list. I'm not a purple-on-the-eyes fan, but if I were, I'd want Orchid too. The color is luscious. The black Ebony is intense.

Chantecaille says these new liners will last for 24 hours, and I believe it. They are waterproof, which I tested, and set quickly for flawless color. That's a nice option for anyone who needs a waterproof eyeliner. They do remove "relatively" easily with an oily eye makeup remover.

Chantecaille's 24 Hour Waterproof Eye Liners are available at Chantecaille counters (I was at Neiman Marcus) and on Chantecaille's Web site. Interested?

Photo at top courtesy of Chantecaille; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

While many of today's perfume bottles are utilitarian, rectangular bottles with a label, beautiful old bottles are collectible. I know one antique collector whose collection includes only the finest, historically significant and gorgeous Victorian bottles. She actually gave me three vintage perfumes because they were in bottles that didn't interest her - and one of them was a gorgeous Lalique bottle!

That's not to say that there aren't beautiful bottles being marketed today. Look at this year's Muguet by Guerlain. Even Jo Malone stepped up with decorated bottles in the last year or two, Osmanthus Blossom being the latest example (below).

JoAnne Bassett, a natural perfumer, offers limited-edition perfumes today in glass works of art. The gorgeous bottle for Esoterica, shown below, holds quarter-ounce of perfume. The exquisite, hand-blown glass bottle displays the colors of the ocean, with has ribbons of color running down the sides.

Many of the oldest bottles were made to house any perfume that a woman chose to wear. They didn't come with the perfume. I have two in sterling silver. Mine were American-made, but the Japanese sterling bottle below is much like them. Tiny and meant to take along, they are little works of art.

Take a look at the Lalique bottle below. Lalique is synonymous with crystal, but the firm’s history has always been closely linked to perfumery. René Lalique designed extraordinary bottles for the major houses. He worked extremely closely with François Coty at the beginning of the century. Roger & Gallet, Houbigant, Molyneux, and Worth all had Lalique-designed bottles in the 1920s and '30s.

He formed a trend flowing through the creative spirit of art nouveau, where art and industry joined hands in the service of perfumery. Created just after the war, the interpretation of L’Air du Temps for Nina Ricci was named bottle of the century. The emblem of Lalique crystal creations, this design is also a symbol with the presence of two doves. Today, the largest of those bottles sell for thousands of dollars.

Baccarat also played an important role in the history of perfume bottles. It was reportedly the first crystal house in France that worked from the outset of their invention to create bottles for the finest perfumes. As early as the 1860s, Baccarat was the bottle supplier for Edouard Pinaud, L.T. Piver, and others and made the first bottle for Dior's iconic Diorissimo, shown above.

Just a note on perfume bottles with atomizers like those shown in the group photo at the top of this feature. Don't store your expensive perfume in bottles with bulb atomizers. The perfume will evaporate in these functional, but decorative, bottles. If you do put your treasured fragrances in them, only pour in what you are prepared to lose.

I could write a dissertation on perfume bottles. Sadly, I don't have time. I thought it would be fun to share with you one of my recent interests. If you are serious about learning more about perfume bottles, take a look at the International Perfume Bottle Association, where you can browse a virtual museum. It's also fun to pick up perfume bottle auction catalogs. When you go to antique shows, look for a vendor selling old catalogs. They are fun to browse.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

By Terry's Summer Splash Collection is filled with beautiful colors and multiple new products. I was shopping at the SPACE.NK boutique at Tysons Corner Center and grabbed a few photos of the Hyaluronic Blush, which jumped right out at me. "Try me!"

This hyaluronic acid foam-enhances the cheeks and prominent facial areas with fresh, eye-catching and ultra-lasting sheer color. Its formula is composed of "a high-tech color technology" that offers a perfect balance between coverage and transparency while holding color on the skin - like a temporary tattoo, according to By Terry. I'm not sure that's a nice analogy for a gorgeous blush.

Whipped hyaluronic acid provides the whippped finish of the gel-cream hybrid. Galanga leaf extract helps treat imperfections. Mother of pearl pigments give the color a subtle sparkle, and the blush provides a beautiful aqueous matte veil on the skin - the combination leading to what By Terry calls matte iridescent.

I took swatch photos in full, mid-day sun, outside the store, and I had no idea how they would look on the blog. I didn't have much to deal with outside the store, so I selected a small spot of shrub roses (surrounded by concrete and sidewalk). While they aren't the best, my photos show the two shades fairly accurately.

I tried to apply them heavily with my fingers. I found that led to a gloppy appearance, so I blended them into my arm - just enough to show you their sheerness, but to keep enough color to differentiate them on the skin. Peach Posh is shown at the top of my arm, with Blushberry below.

Both shades are absolutely gorgeous when blended into the skin - not at all helpful when deciding which one to purchase. I think Peach Posh is better for fair complexions, and Blushberry, a brown rose, is probably the best choice for medium to dark complexions.

I'm sure you can see the sparkles. I found them pretty. By Terry calls the finish matte iridescent. Can you have a sparkly matte? I think not, but it's a perfect description of the matte finish dotted with little sparklies.

I love the whipped texture and blendability of these blushes. I can tell you based on my swatching experience that they will last a long time on the skin. It took a few washings to remove them from my blending fingers. The new Hyaluronic Bronzing Hydra-Veils shown on the display (above) have the same divine texture.

You can find By Terry at the SPACE.NK Web site or in the boutiques. I'm lucky we have a SPACE.NK inside Bloomingdale's here.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Chanel's Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15 PA++ is due in the United States in August. The advertising campaign will feature Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchenin in her first campaign as the face of Chanel.

Les Beiges is (are?) said to be a skin-perfecting powder. Light and natural, they will offer the ultimate transparent, smooth, soft and natural, easy-to-apply powder with a translucent sheen. There will be only five shades available - maybe seven, depending on your country.
A hybrid powder (depending on your
skin tone and the shade selected), Les Beiges were inspired by Gabrielle
Chanel’s passion for freedom - a new makeup approach for “simple,
intuitive, and natural beauty.” From what I've read in multiple sources, Les Beiges are not foundations for anyone who wants more than the lightest veil of coverage. They can serve as bronzers, contouring powders, or finishing powders - and offer an all-over glow. Les Beiges represent a new, versatile concept for Chanel, which has a "Notify Me" sign-up at its Web Site.The ingredients are said to include a purifying protective cream containing white roses and a cotton composite plant cell extract that will protect the skin from environmental pollution while soothing and calming the skin. Shea butter will offer softness, while the UVA and UVB factors will help prevent fine lines and sun spots. The powders are lightly scented with Chanel's iconic gardenia.As usual, other countries got Les Beiges first. I believe they are already available in Canada and Great Britain. If you go scounting around the Web, you'll find a few reviews. I'm hoping our friends in Canada can tell us what you think. If you've tried Les Beiges, please leave a comment and let us know.Photos by Chanel

A couple of weeks ago, I received a little box in the mail with three deluxe samples of Chanel's new Resynchronizing Skin Care. I suspect it was sent to either Chanel's Web site or boutique customers. I was excited to try it, even though I have never been a huge Chanel skin care devotee. I'll skip to the bottom line right away and tell you I like it - particularly one of the three products, which is a miracle treatment.

In an ideal world, your skin’s functions would perform in perfect balance. However, daily life, lack of sleep, travel, and hectic schedules disrupt the skin’s natural rhythms, causing signs of dullness, fatigue, and stress to appear. The complexion can appear tired, with an uneven texture [or worse]. To restore the complexion to its optimal state, Chanel created three skin-care products, customized to your weekly needs. Together, the products help to resynchronize your skin’s natural rhythms throughout the day, the night, and the weekend for a perfectly balanced complexion - even-textured, smooth, supple, and beautiful.

Le Jour de Chanel Morning Reactivating Face Care ($85) is designed to energize the skin so that it can adapt to its environment throughout the day. Jasmine extract from Grasse invigorates the skin, while salicylic acid gently and gradually exfoliates to visibly minimize pores. Your complexion will appear smooth and radiant - and ready to face the day.

I applied it before I read that it contains salicylic acid (SA) - then I nearly died, anticipating a burn. I am extremely reactive to SA, which is too bad because it's an effective ingredient. When I applied the serum, I found it very firming on my face. I'm not sure whether that's normal or just my skin's reaction to the SA. As soon as it dried, I followed it with a peptide-rich moisturizer. Whether the moisturizer protected me or the SA is formulated to be gentle, as advertised, I had no reaction beyond a minimal flush. By the way, all of these products are fragranced, and this one smells divine with the jasmine in it.

I read the directions after I used it. Le Jour de Chanel is supposed to offer gentle micro-exfoliation, with a very low dose of SA. Chanel says it will tighten your pores (check) and visibly even your skin tone. You are supposed to wear it under your day moisturizer, so I instinctively did the right thing.

La Nuit de Chanel Evening Recharging Face Care ($85) is a very nice night cream. It is designed to soothe and moisturize the skin to encourage nightly recovery. Frankincense extract calms the skin to prepare for the process of overnight repair, while hyaluronic acid, nature's sponge, helps restore the skin’s plumpness and hydration. Your complexion should appear supple upon awakening, with no signs of dullness. This is the most highly fragranced of the three products, although I didn't notice the fragrance five minutes after application. It did its job nicely overnight. I'd like to know what else is in it, but complete lists of ingredients did not come with the samples I received.

Le Weekend de Chanel Weekly Renewing Face Care ($115) is the one that blew me away. If you can only invest in one, this is it! The directions are slightly confusing, but between the written directions and its name, I figured out how to use it. "Every week morning and evening, Le Weekend de Chanel enhances skin renewal while providing intense hydration." What does that tell you? To use it every day? No, the name says weekend, so I believe it means you can use it on either one or both weekend days, morning and evening. That's what I did.

Le Weekend de Chanel combines relaxing rose water (which smells fabulous) and a proprietary complex of high-tolerance glycolic acid for a gradual exfoliation and lasting hydration, with instant effects. Overnight, my skin was smoother, softer, and more even in appearance. I couldn't believe it when I awakened after the first use. A repeat confirmed my initial impression. This treatment works.

The milky "cream" was gentle on my skin, but my skin likes glycolic acid. Chanel warns that those with sensitive skin might feel gentle tingling on application, but that the tingling should quickly disappear. I felt none. There are two more warnings: 1) don't use it close to your eyes (normal), 2) don't use it on irritated skin, and 3) glycolic acid will make your skin less sun tolerant, so make sure to use adequate sunscreen for a week after using the product. I am sold on Le Weekend de Chanel and plan to pick up some the next time I can.

Have you seen or tried Chanel's new trio? What do you think? I'll be interested in hearing your reactions.

I do not know if the Resynchronizing Skin Care has arrived at counters, but it is available at Chanel's Web site. My package insert provided a May 15 date for ordering it.

After I published my Memorial Day greeting last night, I really thought about Memorial Day - as I do every year. It occurred to me that there's nothing "happy" about it. To most of us, and I think rightly, it symbolizes loss - the ultimate sacrifice of life so that others may enjoy freedom.

I think about courage, sacrifice, suffering, loneliness, fear, and the many other emotions that the men and women who serve in our military - and their families and friends - experience. That makes me sad, not happy.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

These photo say it all. Memorial Day is a U.S. national holiday when we remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. If you have lost a loved one, please know that millions are pausing today to reflect on your sacrifices. We care. Thank you for giving up the most precious thing you could give - your children, fathers and mothers, grandparents, brothers and sisters, cousins, and friends. I hope you can let the American people embrace you today in a gigantic collective hug of love and appreciation.

While today isn't really about the living, it's a great opportunity to thank veterans and the men and women who are currently serving in our Armed Forces. At any time, those at war could join the fallen at our national memorials at Arlington Cemetery and across the country. Today, some who were injured while serving are healing at hospitals around the world. Their stories - grit, determination, and bravery - are inspirational. Others who have returned from war aren't receiving the care (or the jobs) we owe them. That saddens me.

There was a beautiful, moving tribute, originally published in the Washington Post, A Song of Gratitude at Arlington National Cemetery, by Page Johnson of McLean, Virginia. I recommend that you read it at this link.

Here's a short excerpt.

So on this day of memories, I come to tell them thank you. I come to tell them I honor their service and the heritage they have given me. Most of all, I come to tell them that they are neither alone nor forgotten. I will be here for them, in spirit and in deed, and for their fellow soldiers trying to make a safer world so the children of every mother and father can sleep securely at night.

So many images - so many stories - define Memorial Day. "Thank you" doesn't seem adequate. While there will be pageantry, picnics, parades, concerts, and fireworks today, many of us will be thinking tearfully about the heroes who gave their lives so that we could live in peace.

Photos courtesy of photooftheday.com, nbcnews.com, and the Washington Post

Want to make waves in your beauty routine this summer? Dive into Tarte's
limited-edition Amazonian Clay Finishing Face Powder ($29), inspired by the
Aqualillies, America’s most glamorous synchronized swimming group. I have one to give away.

This soft, perfecting formula
minimizes the appearance of pores, diffuses imperfections, and balances
the skin for a natural, flawless finish. It's translucent and silky - a finishing
powder that will keep your makeup in place without ever appearing chalky. Although it looks white int he pot, it will look like your skin when applied. It mattifies
the skin by removing excess surface oil - a nice quality for summer. This powder can even be used alone
as a treatment to reap all the benefits of Amazonian clay. Top your tan (faux, I hope) with it.

In case you don't know, Amazonian clay is a nutrient-rich clay extracted from the banks of the Amazon River,
where the nutrients are at their highest concentration. As nature’s most
perfect ingredient, this multitasking and total skin balancing clay has
been known to remove surface oil and mattify skin, nourish all skin
types, and give skin an overall smooth and even appearance. Tarte sustainably harvests this ingredient through cooperative
partnerships in Brazil.

The Amazon river flows for
4,000 miles. As it flows, it collects highly nutritious plant and fruit
matter. The clay gathers in the river’s basin, and the sun naturally bakes the clay,
locking in the plant and fruit nutrients. Then it is shaved down
to a finely milled powder and infused into Tarte products with other
high-performance natural ingredients.

How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a
sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in
another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free
to send me an e-mail at
bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not
my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You
can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail
address you care about on a blog, so feel free to
follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail,
e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please
make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past. Today's contest winner did not provide any contact information, so I had to go to the next draw.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail
subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see
sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a
follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in
your comment how you follow. You don't have to
follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but
I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to
track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title
in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title -
if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet
the contest early this evening, and you can simply
retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's
easier.

You can earn a fourth entry if you have posted a comment here in the last two weeks. Don't worry about telling me. I'll know.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, June 1,
2013, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random
number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I
will e-mail the winner on Sunday morning. The winner
will have 48 hours to reply to my message and
provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize
will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected.
Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam
folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. I
will carefully pack and ship the prize (as I always
do). I cannot insure the prize for overseas shipment -
it's amazingly expensive to do so because of the
way I have to send insured mail. If it's lost or
stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it with
another prize just like it. I'll do my best on this
end; let's see if your mail service does right by you
on the other end if we have an overseas winner.

The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning
the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and
other "elements" the way the winner provides them. I've had some
trouble with both U.S. and international addresses.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Bobbi Brown's award-winning Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($23) gives you the look of liquid liner with the ease and feel of a gel formula. Long-wearing, water-resistant color glides on and let's you get your application just right before it dries - then stays without a smear or crease.

Awarded Best of Beauty by Allure Magazine (2012)

Winner of 50 Best Beauty Products 2013 by Siempre MujerMagazine

Selected as a Best Beauty Buy by InStyle Magazine (May 2013)

I love these eyeliners, which are available in so many shades, there are several for everyone. I have Mahogany Ink (#21) to give away. It's a rich, beautiful, dark chestnut brown.

How can you enter to win this giveaway contest (technically a sweepstakes)? Just leave a comment on this feature (not in another BTiB post). After you comment here, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com (the contest address, not my "personal" e-mail) and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment). Please make sure I have your e-mail. If I can't notify you, you can't win - even if your number is drawn. I can't believe the number of winners I haven't been able to find in the past.

You can earn extra entries. Follow this blog (through an e-mail subscription, GFC, or though one of the many Google readers - see sidebar at right) to earn a second entry. If you are a follower, it would help me tally entries if you tell me in your comment how you follow. You don't have to follow to enter. I want everyone to have a chance, but I also want to reward my followers. I must be able to track this entry.

You can earn a third entry by tweeting this contest. You must include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and the contest title in your tweet. Remember, tweet the contest title - if you don't, that entry won't count. I will tweet the contest early this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry - if that's easier.

Anyone who has commented here during the last two weeks will automatically receive a fourth entry. You don't have to tell me; I'll know.

The deadline for entries will be Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, at midnight. I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner the next morning. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

This contest is open to anyone anywhere. Here are the terms. If the sample is lost or stolen in transit, I may not be able to replace it. I'll be sending the samples to the winners in padded envelopes.

The winner must be able to provide me with a "mailable address," meaning the U.S. Post Office recognizes it or its street, province, and other "elements" the way the winner provides them. I've had some trouble with both U.S. and international addresses lately.

For all the legalese related to this contest, please see the Contests/Sweepstakes page at the top of the blog. Good luck!

Please remember that I'm moderating comments, so there's no need to enter your comments more than once. I will approve them as soon as possible.

I discovered something today. Perhaps I'm late to the party, but now Giorgio Armani's Armani Privé Haute Couture Fragrances are available at Giorgio Armani Beauty's Web site. These coveted perfumes have been hard to find.

Imagine stepping out in Pierre de Lune ($250). Pierre de Lune boasts the floral nobility of cassie flower - green and
penetrating - enhanced with a hint of belambre, a customized synthetic
note with vibrant amber undertones. A fragrance hewn by Giorgio Armani
himself with precision, enhanced with the ultimate refinement of a
French garden. Cassie flower’s gentle strength draws on the
juxtaposition of the delicate appearance of its blooms and the potency
of its scent. Intoxicating, this richly complex fragrance features
green and violet leaf accents that endow it with a floral elegance,
while woody amber accents give it an air of sensuality. In Pierre de
Lune, Giorgio Armani captured the magic of scents worn at the
Court of Versailles, when powdered hair was perfumed with iris and oak
moss - the signature of nobles and courtiers. It's timeless and traditional.

Check out the page where the six fragrances are presented. I'll bet there's one with your name on it.

Friday, May 24, 2013

It's the season for roses now, and they are so pretty. This David Austin rose in my garden has gotten leggy. It will be pruning time soon. That should make it bloom again, a real treat since the fragrance is swoon-worthy.

If you've left a comment here in the last few days, you'll see I enabled comment moderation. Between spam and the haters on the Internet - the majority of whom are anonymous - I decided, like so many bloggers before me, that it was best to screen comments. This week as we all cried for the victims of Oklahoma City, some full-of-herself, probably undereducated troll1 decided to scold everyone who called for storm shelters and safe rooms, citing a political blog satire as her source. I immediately deleted her comment, so then she left one on a makeup feature complaining like a five-year-old that her comment had been deleted. I don't have time for that immature intrusion here - or anywhere else for that matter. Dear Ms. Troll, anyone who claims to have strong opinions should cite legitimate sources to back them up. There's quite a difference between facts and opinions. It's also clear that you don't read well. As for your threat to stop reading Best Things in Beauty, perhaps you should. My readers are classy women, with taste, style, intelligence, and compassion.

This isn't the first time hate comments have happened. It happens on all blogs. With comment moderation, it will be the last here. My readers deserve better. Sometimes there's a fine line between snark and a comment that should be published. When that happens, I usually consult another blogger for an independent opinion.

As I read the hater comments on The Voice postings on Facebook (can't people all acknowledge that the finalists are all good?), I realized that the Internet comments have become a way for the disaffected, miserable souls of the world to voice their unhappiness that everyone doesn't agree with them. They remind me of the Westboro Baptist Church, despicable people who protest at the funerals of our soldiers. This week, Fred Phelps Jr., the son of Westboro Baptist Church "minister" Fred Phelps, linked the devastation from the F-5 tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma to the Oklahoma Thunder's support for openly gay NBA basketball star Jason Collins. Really? To me, the members of that so-called church are terrorists - real life reflecting the ugliness of the Internet. One of the saddest things I've witnessed is a soldier's funeral at Arlington Cemetery. Why would anyone try to hurt the family?

I am trying to approve comments as quickly as possible, but I do sleep (not always well lately). Nighttime comments will suffer a time delay, particularly for those who are in Europe or Asia. My apologies, but I've been reviewing and approving them as soon as I get up, using my iPad in bed. I had a slew of them to approve this morning. Actually, I won't miss the morning ritual of deleting spam, often nonsensical posts with a link. While I was writing this feature, I got a spam comment directing readers to a site on growing hair. It was posted on the Camellia Face Oil feature.

One comment I didn't approve this week because it was off-topic was a good question from Leora. Can anyone help her out? I believe her fave was a limited edition, gone for good. I can't find it here at home, though, to do comparisons.

Totally off topic need help - I have a quick question maybe you can help me out since you seem to know your stuff. My FAVORITE eyeliner was the Giorgio Armani La Femme Bleue in Leaf Green. Do you know any color by any brand that even comes close to that, since I cant find not even one left not even on eBay. Thanks.

Last weekend, I had a good cry as I watched the YouTube tape of the first interviews with the police officers who came upon and freed Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight, and Gina DeJesus. If you haven't seen this and want to know what happened the moment those women were freed, check out this link.

Switching subjects, did you know that Jennifer Aniston is a co-owner of Living Proof? There is was in Bazaar, which I was reading at the hair salon last night. Was I the last one to know that?

Remember that Guerlain's limited-edition Terra Nerolia ($69.00) bronzer will make an appearance within the next week! This exquisite oversized face and body bronzer showcases a dazzling sun icon comprised of shimmering peach, bronze, and gold shades. When marrying the three shades together with each brushstroke, the gold infuses throughout, resulting in a subtle satiny sheen. In line with the Terracotta collection, Terra Nerolia is scented with the alluring tiare flower. If you want to pre-order from the Guerlain boutique, give Rhonda a call at (702) 732-7008. If you are on the East Coast, remember that they are on Pacific Time.

Remember your sunscreen this weekend! It's supposed to be sunny here, so an SPF 50 would be appropriate. I heard that you can only count on a two-year life span for sunscreens, so if you plan to be outdoors, remember to pick up a new one today.

Important discount announcement...
Beautyhabit is offering a 20% discount this weekend on all color (makeup). Use the code SUMMERCOLOR through May 27. You can use it on Rouge Bunny Rouge!

This week's giveaway contest ends tomorrow, Saturday, May 25. If you'd like to enter to win YSL's Effect Faux Cils Crème d'Eyeliner in Jade Black, just leave a comment. Good luck! Just because, I think I'll do a flash giveaway over the weekend - for all of you who stay home and read blogs. You deserves some excitement!

1 In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or ugly off-topic messages in an online community. We're not talking about supernatural beings in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore.

Photo at top by Best Things in Beauty; other photo courtesy of Guerlain

Rain or shine, Tarte will transform you into a glowing bronze goddess this Memorial Day weekend. Their new Rainforest Glow Maracuja Waterproof Body Bronzer ($34) and Park Ave Princess Bronze & Glow Matte Bronzer and Cheek Tint ($32) will help you achieve that perfect sun kissed look from head-to-toe. Traveling? Tarte's Prime, Shine, and Define To-Go-Kit ($12) has all of the pocket-sized essentials you'll need to look flawless on the fly.

It will take seconds to score a waterproof faux glow with Rainforest Glow Maracuja Waterproof Body Bronzer. If you don't have time to wait for a self-tanner to work, Rainforest Glow will give you instant color without commitment - my preference anyhow. It's also a great product for filling in a patchy tan or rejuvenating a fading one. Ultra-hydrating maracuja restores the skin's natural luster, so even after you wash it off with soap and water, your skin will still feel supremely soft and look radiant. This streak-free, quick-drying, and non-transferable formula is the cat's meow for when you want a fast, natural-looking tan.

Park Ave Princess Bronze & Glow Matte Bronzer and Cheek Tint, which I really want, is the new liquid version of Tarte's iconic Park Ave Princess powder bronzer. With this innovative two-in-one complexion enhancer, you'll achieve the perfect balance of sun-kissed bronze and a healthy flush. Plus, nature's pure miracle, maracuja, instantly absorbs into the skin, delivering a high dose of essential fatty acids and vitamin C to hydrate the skin while imparting a beautiful pop of sheer color. By fusing two products into one, Tarte has reduced packaging for an eco-friendly option.

The Prime, Shine, and Define To-Go-Kit, shown at the top of this feature, is a three-piece of deluxe travel-sized essentials - just what you need for
getting flawless on the fly. Perfect and brighten your complexion and
dramatize your eyes with Clean Slate Poreless 12-hour Perfecting Primer, Amazonian Clay BB Illuminating Moisturizer, and Gifted
Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara - the three products in this kit. This convenient, travel-friendly kit
will cover your beauty basics as you prime, shine, and define
yourself.

It gets better. Over Memorial Day weekend, Tarte will be offering a 15% discount off everything at the company's e-commerce site - plus free shipping. Just use the code MDAY between May 23 and May 27. See Tarte's Web site for details.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

It's time for another beauty event at Neiman Marcus in stores and online! Camp Gorgeous will run from Sunday, June 2 through Sunday, June 9. During the event, there will be gifts with purchase. I love those little extras.

Spend $85 or more in the beauty department (cosmetics and/or fragrances), and you will have your choice of large, stripped summer totes (beige, blue, or hot pink) with a few samples to try. Perfect for the beach, lake, or pool, it's an ideal way to pull together your sun goddess look. Get your tote and fill it with the season's essentials, then throw in some sunglasses and a good book. You'll be ready to soak up the summer.

Many of the brands will be offering GWPs with your purchases. If you plan to purchase something soon, why not line it up now as a pre-sale purchase so that you can take advantage of the gifts?

I want to thank two wonderful Neiman Marcus product and sales representatives for alerting me to the upcoming event: Layla Murad and Valerie Fleming. They are both at the Tysons Galleria store.

Valerie is a Bobbi Brown representative. Here's what she told me about the Bobbi offer...

Bobbi Brown is giving away a Bobbi Mirror that you can throw in your bag as well as a lip gloss in Bellini for customers who take advantage of the pre-sale, spending $100.00 or more. Supplies are limited. They are also having freelance makeup artist support during CampGorgeous. If you are near Tysons Corner, call (703) 761-1600 to make an appointment for a new Bobbi Brown summer look.

I've put my thinking cap on. During these events, I usually stock up on my staples. I must survey here to figure out what I need.

I love camellias. To me, they are among the most elegant shrub-growing flowers. Based on receiving a lovely sample of aroma M Beauty's Camellia Face Oil, I've spent a few months researching camellia oil and its beneficial properties.

What have I learned? Since the 14th century or before, camellia oil has been widely used for many purposes, including skin care and hair care. Camellia oil is composed primarily of oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fatty acid, which has a similar composition to natural human sebum and other essential fatty acids, such as linoleic acid. Its oleic acid percentage is the highest among the natural oils being used for cosmetic purposes today. Those in the know are aware that oils are one of the latest best things in skin care. You're seeing them everywhere, right?

Studies of oleic and other fatty acids have proven that they are an excellent emollient and a remarkable natural agent for the retention and enhancement of moisture. A lack of lipid or fatty substances impairs our skin’s ability to retain moisture. These substances in human skin decline as we age, and this deficit is a key factor that causes our skin to dry as we age.

Studies have demonstrated that oleic acid has unparalleled penetration power, capable of permeating deeply into the lower layers of the stratum corneum to greatly enhance the beneficial effects of collagen and elastin (which are essential for cell growth and flexibility), helping to repair the damage caused by dryness, sun exposure, and other factors. Using camellia oil on the skin results in restoration of the skin’s elasticity, significant improvement in skin texture, and elimination or remarkable reduction of fine lines and small wrinkles.

American born artist Maria McElroy synthesized her love of blending colors and textures with her passion for scent to create aroma M perfumes in 1995. Maria's seven-year journey, rich in Japanese history, romance, and mystery, became the genesis for aroma M Beauty and the inspiration for the new capsule collection of her renowned Geisha beauty products.

Maria's appreciation for Japanese culture and aesthetics and her extraordinary experiences in the secretive world of the Kyoto Gion Geishas have been the foundation for aroma M’s Beauty products. Steeped in the ways of ancient Eastern traditions, and adhering to the Eastern mandate that beauty is a daily routine, Maria uses unexpected, precious ingredients in her beauty line.

Her gourmand combinations are a direct influence from Maria’s Kyoto-born chef husband. Tuberose and rosemary, jasmine, and frankincense essential oils are designed to smell beautiful and simultaneously enchant the mind, the soul, and the skin. Drawing on her aromatherapy background, Maria has developed elixirs that will satisfy all your beauty needs.

In her beauty products, she uses organic cold pressed oils and organic essential oils - all carefully selected for the ultimate refined beauty experience. Although she is well known for her fragrances, her beauty line is relatively new. Her initial two offerings were the Camellia Hair Oil and Camellia Face Oil. She sent me samples of both. Today, I want to focus on Camellia Face Oil.

Maria's Camellia Face Oil (40 ml, $95) is a luxurious face moisturizer. I know that many of you appreciate the benefits of using oils for hydration. I think you'll love her camellia oil. At a visible/practical level, camellia oil is said to remove impurities from the skin while it moisturizes, freshens, and purifies the skin. I've even read that it offers UVB protection, stretch mark prevention and reduction, treatment of eczema, and even acne and acne scars, and treatment for thinning hair - although I have no proof for any of those benefits. Since it has been used for centuries, there's got to be something to it. TATCHA and Shu Uemura Art of Hair also offer camellia oil-based products, and you know how good their products are.

I have used up the sample Maria sent me. I loved it. If you've never used oil on your face, you might think it would be messy. It's not - hence the popularity of oils today (think argan oil, one you probably know). Camellia Face Oil absorbs quickly, leaving behind a moist, smooth feeling. Oil-based moisturizers can even be used by those with oily or combination skin. They absorb readily and do not create or increase oiliness. They hydrate and leave behind soft skin. Just apply a few precious drops on moist, freshly washed skin - your face, neck, and décolleté. I suggest you pat the oil onto your skin, giving yourself a pressure massage as you do. Use Maria's oil for a few days, morning and night, and you'll start to see a difference in your skin's hydration levels.

The aroma M Beauty line is artfully housed in a modern art nouveau glass bottle. Each bottle is adorned with Aroma M’s signature patterned Yuzen paper designs, handcrafted in Kyoto to complete the Japonesque design. They are luxurious inside and out.

Aroma M Beauty's Camellia Face and Hair Oils are on sale at Maria's online boutique through May 31. We all like discounts, so why not try one of the aroma M Beauty camellia oils and save 10%? I can assure you that the hair oil will make your hair shine like no other. I was skeptical, but now I'm a believer in that too. I was an easy sell on the face oil.

Have you noticed that the "side boob" (as they call it in fashion and on television) is getting a lot of attention lately? Sharon Stone, 55 years old (hard to believe - she is still as sexy as ever) was rocking the side boob at Cannes 2013. She was wearing a revealing red Roberto Cavalli dress which had a slit that went almost up to her thong region and a sexy back cutout. The sides of her dress (above the waist) left little to the imagination.

Some award shows have cautioned their attendees on "inadequate" dress this year. What do you say to the side boob? Is it sexy or attractive? Yea or nay?

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

If you saw this photo, would you think that Jouer's Crème Eyeshadow in Organza ($20) leans lavender? I would. Then, after reading its description, "shimmering lavender taupe," I'd be sure of it. I don't go out of my way to order lavender eye shadows, even though I love cream shadows. Why then did I order it? Honestly, I have no idea. It was months ago, and I was desperate to add another one of these beauties from Jouer to my makeup wardrobe. I had Cashmere, which is gorgeous, and I wanted to try a lighter shade.

Imagine my delight when it arrived. I saw lots of shimmering taupe, and almost no lavender. Even before trying it, I know I was going to love Organza.

Lightweight in texture with a velvety finish, Jouer's Crème Eyeshadows offer a subtle shimmer. They can be worn alone as a shadow, layered to illuminate the eye, or smudged along the lash line to create natural definition. The soft, exquisitely blendable formula ensures easy fingertip application if you wish, but out of habit, I use a cream shadow brush to apply my mine.

I took swatch photos in full, mid-day sun because I wanted to show you the glory of Organza. I did use my finger to swatch. I was being lazy and didn't want to go back inside and up the stairs to get a cream shadow brush. Fingertip application works well.

Organza is a drop-dead gorgeous taupe. I suppose one could stretch and see some lavender in it, but it doesn't produce the eye-reddening that lavender does on me. I love everything about this shade: the color, the soft shimmer, and the wear time. It stays on. Remember, I use an eye primer below my eye makeup.

I positioned myself in front of a pink azalea, trying to see if I could make the shade look lavender. I think the photo directly above shows its taupe deliciousness even more - despite the sun drop-off on the left.

Do you see lavender, taupe, or a mix of both? By any chance, do you have Organza? How does it look on your skin? I'm thrilled to show you another not-new product you may have missed.

I don't write about Jouer often because we don't have a Jouer counter in the DC area. It's sad. I discovered the brand online and was delighted to visit the counter at Henri Bendel the last time I visited New York. I hope to go back to explore more of the line in person. In the meantime, I shop online. Now and then, there's a site-wide discount, and I love those opportunities.

You can purchase Jouer's lovely cream shadows and all of their products at the company's Web site and Henri Bendel (also Skin 6|2 in Las Vegas).

About Me

Charlestongirl, a Virginia baby boomer, has a successful left-brain
business career, but her heart belongs to her right brain, which loves
the beauty industry, antiques, jewelry, gardens, and the finer things in
life. She loves sharing her extensive (and expensive) experience with
beauty products with others and hopes she can help you choose products
that are worth the splurge.
For more than you ever wanted to know, please click on the About
Charlestongirl page at the blog header.